By Steve Amoia
Contributing Writer

Alex Del Piero is the "l'uomo simbolo" for Juventus. Now in his 17th season with the Old Lady of Italian football, Del Piero approaches the twilight of a brilliant career. There have been rumors that Del Piero may be tempted by a move to Major League Soccer in the future. Ahead of the key group round match with Manchester City, Del Piero discussed his current objectives, his fond memories of playing in England, the upcoming Derby of Italy, and his friend, Noel Gallagher of Oasis, in an interview with the Milan sports daily, La Gazzetta dello Sport.

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Juventus Alessandro Del Piero reacts during a press conference at the City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester, England, Wednesday Sept. 29, 2010. Juventus will play Manchester City in their Europa League Group A soccer match on Thursday

An Important Benchmark

“Sarà un banco di prova importante per capire cosa possiamo fare e dove possiamo arrivare”. Alessandro Del Piero carica il gruppo, mai come in questa settimana i bianconeri hanno bisogno del loro leader. “Abbiamo intrapreso un cammino che speriamo di consolidare con le prossime gare – le parole di Del Piero alla vigilia della sfida contro il Manchester City -. Definire questa coppa il nostro obiettivo finale è ancora presto: ora non penso tanto al successo in Europa League quanto al passaggio del turno. Affrontiamo una squadra attrezzatissima sotto il profilo tecnico, che arriva da una grande vittoria contro il Chelsea. Sarà un impegno difficile, ma non dobbiamo affrontarlo con timore. Prendiamo la partita di domani come una nuova sfida, dobbiamo cercare di cancellare gli ultimi K.O. contro le formazione inglesi (Fulham n.d.r) e uscire con un risultato positivo”.

"It will be an important benchmark to understand what we can do and where we can arrive." Del Piero encourages his group who this week need their Juventus leader like never before.

"We have taken a path that we hope all will come together in the next few games... To label this competition as our final objective is too soon. Now, I don't think so much about success in the Europa League compared to just passing the group stage. We are taking on a very instrumental team under a technical profile who have just arrived with a great victory against Chelsea. It will be a difficult test, but we don't take it on with any fear. We will approach the game tomorrow (Thursday) like a new challenge. We have to look to cancel out the last knockouts against English sides (such as with Fulham last year), and come out with a positive result."

Great Memories

BEI RICORDI — Ma l’Inghilterra evoca anche memorie piacevoli al capitano bianconero, come il successo storico contro il Manchester Utd. A Old Trafford. “Il ricordo è magnifico, con lo United ci siamo scontrati parecchie volte e vincere là è stato meraviglioso. Il City negli ultimi anni ha intrapreso una strada precisa, con investimenti sul mercato che hanno portato giocatori di grande qualità. È una delle strade per arrivare al successo e i nostri avversari hanno a disposizione un numero elevato di giocatori di grande qualità. Poi è sempre il campo che stabilisce la differenza tra la vittoria e la sconfitta”.

England also evokes pleasant memories for the Juventus captain, such as the historic success against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

"The memory is magnificent. With United, we have battled many times, and to win there was marvelous. Manchester City, in the last few years, has taken a precise path with investments on the transfer market that have brought players with great quality. It is one of the ways to arrive at success, and our adversaries have an elevated number of quality players at their disposal. But then, it's always on the pitch that determines the difference between winning and losing."

On Inter Milan

INTER — L’Inter è dietro l’angolo, ma è ancora presto per pensarci. “Dobbiamo avere la testa solo al City, perché per affrontare bene la partita con i nerazzurri, dobbiamo fare bene domani sera. Vieira ha detto che a Torino ha giocato in una delle squadre più forti della sua carriera? Siamo stati benissimo insieme a Patrick. Per costruire una squadra forte come quella serve tempo è vero, non posso che augurarmi che accada presto, ma ora non so dire a che punto siamo. Le basi sono buonissime e noi dobbiamo avere la forza, al di là dei risultati, di andare avanti per la nostra strada”. Noel Gallagher, tifoso d’eccezione del Manchester City e grande amico di Del Piero, non si perderà la sfida di domani sera per nulla al mondo. “Noel verrà allo stadio per vedere la partita, qui è di casa e sicuramente farà il tifo per il City. 

Inter Milan awaits Juventus on Sunday night, but it is too soon to think about them.

"We must only concern ourselves with Manchester City, because to approach the game properly with Inter, we must do well tomorrow night. Patrick Vieira said that he played in one of the strongest teams in his career while at Juventus? We all got on well with Patrick. To construct a strong team such as that one (Juventus from 2004 to 2006) really takes time. I can't hope that it happens (for us now) right away. But now, I don't know how to say at what point we are at. The foundations are very good, and we must have the desire, but above all, the results, to go forward on our journey."

Noel Gallagher (of the rock band Oasis), a great supporter of City and great friend of Del Piero, wouldn't miss tomorrow night's match for the world.

"Noel will come to the stadium to see the game. Here, he is at home and surely will cheer on City."

Italian source: La Gazzetta dello Sport, 29 September 2010.


Steve Amoia is a freelance writer, editor and translator from Washington, D.C. He is the founder, editor and writer of World Football Commentaries. He has written for AC Cugini Scuola Calcio (Italian soccer school), Football Media, Italian Soccer Serie A, Keeper Skool and Soccerlens.

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